Interpretation ID: nht95-1.14

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: January 5, 1995

FROM: Ralph T. Welch

TO: NHTSA

TITLE: Re: 1991 Coachmen RV Class C Motorhome, Model: Leprechaun 248 DD MM Ser:1TCC03677M1001007

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO 4/10/95 LETTER FROM PHILIP RECHT TO RALPH T. WELCH (A43; STD. 101)

TEXT: On Dec. 15, 1994, I wrote to your office regarding incorrect date of manufacture posted on the outside of this motorhome.

I had another question regarding this motorhome, but overlooked including it in that letter.

Would you please advise me if there are any federal laws or regulations pertaining to the type of odometer installed on a motor vehicle sold in the United States?

We were not told when we purchased this vehicle that it had an odometer that registered kilometers instead of miles per hour. As a result I had to make a number of trips to the dealer's shop for repair. In addition a statement had to be filed with DMV regarding replacement, and the title had an endorsement stating that the mileage was not correct. I have no way of knowing the extent that this affected the value of the coach, but suspect that it did.

The dealer who purchased the coach from the factory, has stated that he did not order this coach to be equipped with this type of odometer.

If further information would be helpful please let me know.

PREVIOUS LETTER:

Nat. Highway Traffic Safety Adm. 400 7th St. S W Washington, D C 20590

December 15 1994

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION RE LABEL, DATE OF MANUFACTURE ON EXTERIOR OF MOTORHOME

Would you advise if it is a violation of Federal Law, or Regulations to place a false date of manufacture on the exterior of a motorhome? When we purchased this motorhome we noticed a label on the outside of the coach stating that the coach was manufact ured 5/91. However after we agreed to purchase the vehicle, we found on closer inspection that the coach manufacturers label on the door post showed a different date. This date was 10/80. This label is only visible when one opens the right hand door a nd bends over to read the label. The label on the outside of the coach is readily observable when one enters the coach.

A photograph of the coach showing the label is enclosed. Also enclosed is a photocopy of letter from Coachmen Industries with a copy of a label, this one with a corrected date. Additional correspondence is enclosed from the manufacturer, furnishing var ious explanations for this false label.

I do not know the reason why this incorrect date was placed on the coach, but I do know that it misled me into thinking that I was buying a coach just over a year old, when I was really getting a coach almost two years old.

Yours truly,

RALPH T. WELCH 840 SE SUMMIT DR ROSEBURG OR 97470 503-673-0586

cc: Coachmen Industries, Thomas Corson, Chairman of Board Coachmen Industries, Michael Pangburn Esq. (w/o enc.)